Technophile + Tablet computers | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/series/technophile+tablet-computer
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iPad mini vs Nexus 7 vs Nexus 10 vs Surface RT: tablet comparison reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/27/iipad-mini-nexus-7-surface-rt-tablet-comparison-review
Choosing a new tablet is much more complicated if you have multiple needs – but which will suit me best?<p>(Please note: this is <em>not</em> a comprehensive roundup of every tablet on the market, <em>nor</em> a detailed list of every specification of those tablets. It's my examination of what will actually suit my needs – which if you read on you'll discover.)</p><p>When I <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/apr/09/ipad-flaws-review">bought my iPad</a> three years ago, the tablet market was brand new. If you wanted a tablet, there was the iPad. And, er, that was it. Three years later, my iPad has slowed down to the point where it's more annoying than useful. I've jailbroken it and stripped it back to the bare essentials, removing software and music, but it simply doesn't do what I want it to do any more. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/27/iipad-mini-nexus-7-surface-rt-tablet-comparison-review">Continue reading...</a>Tablet computersGadgetsComputingTechnologyiPadiPad miniAndroidWindows 8Microsoft SurfaceWed, 27 Mar 2013 15:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/27/iipad-mini-nexus-7-surface-rt-tablet-comparison-reviewBloomberg/GettyNexus 7: see how well it matched up to the iPad mini and other rivals. Photograph: Bloomberg/GettyBloomberg/GettySome retailers are predicting that the Google Nexus 7 will be the biggest seller this Christmas. Photograph: Bloomberg/GettyKate Bevan2013-03-27T15:01:00ZOffice 2013 – reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/oct/30/office-2013-review
The latest version of Microsoft's Office software looks very different and makes a lot more use of the cloud<p>Amid all the glitz of the launches last week of the Surface tablet and Windows 8 operating system, Microsoft also quietly – and ahead of schedule – released to manufacturing the latest versions of three of its biggest enterprise brands: Sharepoint, Exchange and Office.</p><p>The public preview of Office has been around for a while <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/officepreview" title="">and you can still download and use it</a> for two months after the full version goes on sale, which is vaguely promised for the first quarter of next year.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/oct/30/office-2013-review">Continue reading...</a>MicrosoftMicrosoft SurfaceTechnologyTablet computersSoftwareComputingGadgetsCloud computingAppsTue, 30 Oct 2012 13:49:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/oct/30/office-2013-reviewKate Bevan/guardian.co.ukKate Bevan/guardian.co.ukOffice tiles on the Windows 8 desktop. Photograph: Kate Bevan/guardian.co.ukKate Bevan/guardian.co.ukOffice tiles on the Windows 8 desktop. Photograph: Kate Bevan/guardian.co.ukKate Bevan2012-10-30T13:49:13ZAmazon Kindle Paperwhite – reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/oct/26/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-review
Probably the best e-reader on the market, with a frontlit screen making it possible to read in any light and increased contrast<p>If you still prefer real books to electronic gizmos, then Amazon's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-touch-paperwhite-amazon-reader/dp/B007OZO03M" title="Amazon page">Kindle Paperwhite</a> – which has just started shipping in the UK – is a good reason to think again.</p><p>Where earlier Kindle e-readers had grey screens, the Paperwhite has a white, frontlit, E-Ink screen with greatly increased contrast, so it comes much closer to the ideal of black ink on white paper. There are some shiny tablets that could almost double as mirrors, but there's no way you can see your face in the flat matt screen of a Paperwhite.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/oct/26/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-review">Continue reading...</a>E-readersTechnologyAmazon.comInternetE-commerceGadgetsKindleKindle FireComputingTablet computersGoogleFri, 26 Oct 2012 15:17:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/oct/26/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-reviewAmazonThe Paperwhite has no headphone jack or loudspeaker for listening to audio books or playing background music. Photograph: AmazonAmazonAmazon’s Kindle Paperwhite is light and its backlit screen makes it the most comfortable to use ereader on the market right now. Photograph: Amazon.The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite’s screen has much increased contrast, making reading a much easier experience.AmazonAmazon’s Kindle Paperwhite is light and its backlit screen makes it the most comfortable to use ereader on the market right now. Photograph: Amazon.The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite has much increased contrast, making reading a much easier experience. Photograph: .Jack Schofield:2012-10-26T15:17:00ZGoogle Nexus 7 tablet review: for wide, but not deep, pocketshttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2012/jul/13/google-nexus-7-review
It's small, cheap, has limited storage (and no expansion) and no HDMI out. Is Google's long-expected self-branded 7in tablet - made by Asus - a challenger in this space?<p>When the iPad first came out, with its 4:3 aspect ratio and 9.7in screen, lots of people were quick to call it a &quot;just a large iPod Touch&quot; - even though the aspect ratio alone indicated that it wasn't, and the performance and interaction quickly reinforced that.</p><p>Well, those people don't have to worry any more. Here's Google's Nexus 7 &quot;tablet&quot;, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 7in screen (measured, as they all are, on the diagonal). And we can happily say that this <em>is</em> a &quot;large&quot; Android smartphone. Except it only comes in a Wi-Fi version.</p><p>- Many places/plans have limited transfer caps. Canada's infamous for very high prices and very low transfer caps since our internet companies bought our media companies and now it's the only way they can stay solvent with Netflix (etc) on the market</p><p>- Your cloud [music and picture] services aren't even available outside the US.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2012/jul/13/google-nexus-7-review">Continue reading...</a>GoogleTablet computersAndroidTechnologyiPadAsusFri, 13 Jul 2012 17:13:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2012/jul/13/google-nexus-7-reviewCharles Arthur/guardian.co.ukGoogle Nexus 7 on the left, the RIM PlayBook on the right. The PlayBook does rotate its home screen. Photograph: Charles Arthur/guardian.co.ukCharles Arthur/guardian.co.ukGoogle Nexus 7 showing the letterbox effect when watching a film. A lot of horizontal screen is unused. Photograph: Charles Arthur/guardian.co.ukCharles Arthur/guardian.co.ukGoogle Nexus 7 next to an Apple iPad. Photograph: Charles Arthur/guardian.co.ukStephen Lam/ReutersGoogle's Nexus 7 tablet. Don't worry, you don't need three hands to operate it. Photograph: Stephen Lam/ReutersStephen Lam/ReutersAttendees interact with a Google Nexus 7 tablet Photograph: Stephen Lam/ReutersCharles Arthur2012-07-13T17:13:00ZApple's new iPad 3 – reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/mar/15/apple-ipad-3-review
The voice dictation isn't much good, and those who want to plug in a USB hub will be disappointed. Everyone else will find the retina display and better graphics a delight<p>In answer to your first question: yes, there is a difference. In answer to your second: yes, you can actually <em>see</em> the difference. It's subtle, and yet it's definitely there.</p><p>I'm talking, of course, of the &quot;Retina Display&quot; on the new iPad (which is what Apple seems to be calling it – no marketing niceties such as &quot;iPad 3&quot; or &quot;iPad HD&quot;). With much fanfare, Tim Cook unveiled it last week and the world said &quot;wow!&quot; or &quot;is that all?&quot;, depending on the viewer's disposition. Expectations had been cranked high (about touch displays – ahem), but after so many had wrongly forecast the coming of the retina display last year (overplaying Moore's Law), expectations were about right this time. But the incremental updates that Apple is making – having established this sector – don't satisfy those who would like more, all at once. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/mar/15/apple-ipad-3-review">Continue reading...</a>iPadAppleTablet computersTechnologyComputingThu, 15 Mar 2012 07:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/mar/15/apple-ipad-3-reviewguardian.co.ukDetail: Q and W on iPad 3 keyboardguardian.co.ukDetail: Q and W on iPad 2 keyboardguardian.co.ukDetail: BlackBerry Playbook keyboard detailGuardianLeft is the iPad 3; right the iPad 2 – both showing a scene from the BBC programme Orbit (the HD version) with the screens of both on full brightnessRobert Galbraith/ReutersThe new iPad with its high definition screen. Photograph: Robert Galbraith/ReutersRobert Galbraith/ReutersThe new iPad3 with its high definition screen: Apple's resolution has improved from 720p to 1080p. Photograph: Robert Galbraith/ReutersCharles Arthur2012-03-15T07:05:00ZMotorola Xoom Android tablet – reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/apr/27/motorola-xoom-review-tablet-computer
The 10in device starts at the same price as Apple's category-creating iPad, but there are many elements that put it behind (updated)<p>So here it is: the Motorola Xoom is about to land on our shores. This is a review, but because this is about tablets you know that it must involve comparisons. The Xoom doesn't live alone; if it were the world's only &quot;media tablet&quot; (to use the phrase analysts are using to try to split this species off from all the other tablet devices out there), that would be one thing. However, it's not even close to being the first. So yes – I am going to compare it to the iPad. (<strong>Update</strong>: Harry Metcalfe, who owns a Xoom, provided some extra information, so I've updated some parts.)</p><p>• <a href="#nutshell">one-line review</a><br />•<a href="#firstimpressions">First impressions</a><br />• <a href="#unlock">Power on</a><br />• <a href="#homescreen">Home screen</a><br />• <a href="#battery">Battery life</a><br />• <a href="#email">Email and calendars</a><br />• <a href="#browser">Browser</a><br />• <a href="#phone">Phone?</a><br />• <a href="#flash">Flash Player</a><br />• <a href="#notifications">Notifications</a><br />• <a href="#usb">USB ports</a><br />• <a href="#keyboard">Keyboard and typing</a><br />• <a href="#apps">App selection</a><br />• <a href="#music">Music player</a><br />• <a href="#video">Video</a><br />• <a href="#video">Verdict</a><br />• <a href="#favour">For</a> and <a href="#against">against</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/apr/27/motorola-xoom-review-tablet-computer">Continue reading...</a>Tablet computersTechnologyComputingAndroidGoogleiPadAppleWed, 27 Apr 2011 07:31:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/apr/27/motorola-xoom-review-tablet-computerPRA home screen on Honeycomb on the Motorola Xoom. You get five, but they start off empty till you fill themPRThe Xoom's profile is about as thick as the original iPad - but that makes it thicker than the successorPRBack view: the Xoom has a camera and flash.PRThe Honeycomb main screen. Note the clock: it wouldn't be out of place in Star TrekPRTheoretically, you can watch any video on the Xoom. As long as it's in MP4 format.Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesThe Motorola Xoom Android Honeycomb tablet on show at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesEthan Miller/Getty ImagesThe Motorola Xoom Android Honeycomb tablet on show at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesCharles Arthur2011-04-27T07:31:00ZHuawei Ideos Tablet S7 – reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/feb/08/huawei-ideos-tablet-s7-review
With poor battery life and unresponsive screen, this device just doesn't cut it. So at least it's cheap<p>Stab, stab, stab. Stab, stab, stab. No, that's not me trying to stab my own eyes out in frustration, nor me plunging a kitchen implement into whoever chucked together the <a href="http://bit.ly/fEYYk4" title="">Huawei Ideos Tablet S7</a>, but me trying to get the touchscreen first to register my taps and second to respond to them.</p><p>But wait! It's a resistive screen, not a capacitive one. So what you actually need is the stylus tucked away around the back of the device.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/feb/08/huawei-ideos-tablet-s7-review">Continue reading...</a>TechnologyTablet computersComputingGadgetsTue, 08 Feb 2011 10:41:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/feb/08/huawei-ideos-tablet-s7-reviewPRHuawei Ideos Tablet S7: heavy and not particularly portablePRHuawei Ideos Tablet S7Kate Bevan2011-02-08T10:41:17ZReview: Viewsonic ViewPad 7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 inch Android tabletshttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2010/dec/01/viewsonic-7-samsung-galaxy-tab-review
Two tablets, one which has had loads of publicity, and the other which has barely been heard of. The result might surprise you<p><strong>What are they?</strong><br />The Viewsonic Android-based 7in ViewPad tablet, and the Samsung Android-based 7in Galaxy Tab tablet.</p><p><strong>Category</strong><br />Hardware – specifically, tablets running Android.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2010/dec/01/viewsonic-7-samsung-galaxy-tab-review">Continue reading...</a>TechnologyTablet computersAndroidComputingInternetSamsungWed, 01 Dec 2010 13:05:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2010/dec/01/viewsonic-7-samsung-galaxy-tab-reviewOdd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images/The Samsung Galaxy Tab. Photograph: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty ImagesPRThe Viewsonic Android-based ViewPad 7 tabletPRViewsonic ViewPad 7Charles Arthur2010-12-01T13:05:39ZReview: Novatech nTablet Windows 7 tablet: a touch too farhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/nov/23/novatech-ntablet-review
Trying to use Windows 7 on a tablet shows that while it may be a touch-screen OS, it is not a tablet OS - and there is a difference<p>Though some might find this surprising, it pains me to write a negative review. I know what it's like to labour over something and discover that it doesn't come up to scratch - and that the reasons why it doesn't come up to scratch were staring you in the face if you'd only looked up to think about it.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/nov/23/novatech-ntablet-review">Continue reading...</a>Tablet computersWindows 7WindowsTue, 23 Nov 2010 06:47:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/nov/23/novatech-ntablet-reviewCharles Arthur2010-11-23T06:47:37ZTechnophile: Intel's Classmate 2 reviewedhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/may/07/intel-classmate-2
The Classmate 2 turns into a tablet and is kid-proof - but its small keyboard is a problem for adult fingers<p>Intel's Classmate PC design helped start the netbook market, and it will be interesting to see if the Classmate 2 can have a similar impact. It looks much the same, but it has a touch-sensitive screen that folds over the keyboard to turn it into a tablet computer.</p><p>It also has Blue Dolphin software that puts a user-friendly interface over the top of Microsoft Windows XP or Linux. This makes it easy to run programs using a finger or the large stylus supplied, rather than the Windows Start menu. When you hit Blue Dolphin icons, they beep and spin around.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/may/07/intel-classmate-2">Continue reading...</a>IntelTechnologyNetbooksComputingMicrosoftWindowsLinuxTablet computersWed, 06 May 2009 23:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/may/07/intel-classmate-2PRPRIntel Classmate 2 Photograph: PRJack Schofield2009-05-06T23:01:00Z